Each year, the world generates 20 million to 50 million metric tonnes of electronic waste, according to the United Nations Environmental Programme. In India, the changing lifestyle of people, coupled with urbanization, has led to increasing use of electronic products. Much of the electronic products contain toxic substances, like mercury, lead, and cadmium, which can poison the soil, water, and air. This has made e-waste management an issue of environment and health concern.The e-waste inventory, based on obsolescence rate and installed base in India for the year 2005, has been estimated to be 146 180 tonnes. According to third draft guidelines for environmentally sound management of electronic waste issued by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), the inventory is expected to exceed 800 000 tonnes by 2012. While 10 states account for 70% of the total e-waste generated in the country, 65 cities in India generate more than 60% of the total e-waste. Among the 10 largest e-waste generating states, Maharashtra ranks first, followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Among the top 10 cities generating e-waste, Mumbai ranks first, followed by Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat, and Nagpur.The CPCB guideline notes that there is a lack of environmentally sound recycling infrastructure. There is no large-scale organized e-waste recycling facility in India. Two small e-waste dismantling facilities are functioning in Chennai and Bangalore, while most of the e-waste recycling units are operating in the unorganized sector. There is an urgent need for improvement in e-waste management, including technological improvement, institutional arrangement, operational plan, protective protocol for workers working in e-waste disposal, and education of the general population on this issue, which has significant economic and social impacts.</sec></body><back><ref-list><title>Sources

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The e-waste menace

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14522

Each year, the world generates 20 million to 50 million metric tonnes of electronic waste, according to the United Nations Environmental Programme. In India, the changing lifestyle of people, coupled with urbanization, has led to increasing use of electronic products. Much of the electronic products contain toxic substances, like mercury, lead, and cadmium, which can poison the soil, water, and air. This has made e-waste management an issue of environment and health concern.The e-waste inventory, based on obsolescence rate and installed base in India for the year 2005, has been estimated to be 146 180 tonnes. According to third draft guidelines for environmentally sound management of electronic waste issued by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), the inventory is expected to exceed 800 000 tonnes by 2012. While 10 states account for 70% of the total e-waste generated in the country, 65 cities in India generate more than 60% of the total e-waste. Among the 10 largest e-waste generating states, Maharashtra ranks first, followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Among the top 10 cities generating e-waste, Mumbai ranks first, followed by Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat, and Nagpur.The CPCB guideline notes that there is a lack of environmentally sound recycling infrastructure. There is no large-scale organized e-waste recycling facility in India. Two small e-waste dismantling facilities are functioning in Chennai and Bangalore, while most of the e-waste recycling units are operating in the unorganized sector. There is an urgent need for improvement in e-waste management, including technological improvement, institutional arrangement, operational plan, protective protocol for workers working in e-waste disposal, and education of the general population on this issue, which has significant economic and social impacts.</sec></body><back><ref-list><title>SourcesNewspaper: The Economic TimesWebsite: www.cpcb.nic.in